Barrel speaker enclosure

ABSTRACT

A speaker enclosure having a barrel-shaped drum with an open front end and an open rear end. The speaker is axially mounted across the open front of the drum and an aerodynamically curved, dome-shaped reflector is mounted to surround the rear portion of the drum and is spaced therefrom. The open end of the reflector is thus aligned to direct sound emitted from it in a substantially forward axial direction.

United States Patent Cunningham [54] BARREL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE [72] Inventor: Paul E. Cunningham, 22 Curtis St.,

Athens, Ohio 45701 [22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 68,199

[52] US. Cl. ..181/3l B [51] Int. Cl. ..Gl0k 13/00, H04r 1/28 [58] Field oiSearch ..181/31B,31R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,949,163 8/1960 Friedman ......18 1/31 B 3,065,817 11/1962 Bailey... ..181/31B 1 Feb. 1, 1972 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 433,284 4/1948 Italy ..l8l/3l B Primary Examiner-Stephen .l. Tomsky Attorney-Jerome R. Cox

[57] ABSTRACT A speaker enclosure having a barrel-shaped drum with an open front end and an open rear end. The speaker is axially mounted across the open front of the drum and an aerodynamically curved, dome-shaped reflector is mounted to surround the rear portion of the drum and is spaced therefrom. The open end of the reflector is thus aligned to direct sound emitted from it in a substantially forward axial direction.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTED FEB 11972 3688753 FIG 2 INVENTOR.

PAUL E. CUNNINGHAM BY W.

ATTORNEY BARREL SPEAKER ENCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Theinvention relates to audio reproduction equipment and more particularly relates to a speaker and speaker enclosure combination.

High fidelity and stereo enthusiasts have designed many structures for improving the audio reproduction obtained from an ordinary speakerfThe speaker is usually associated with an enclosure and the enclosure is designed primarily to improve the quality and the relative amplitude of the lower frequency musical sounds. Many structures have been proposed for reflecting, directing and reinforcing the sounds received from the rear portion of the speaker. Nonetheless modern sound reproduction equipment still inherently possesses a sound quality which is inferior to that of live musical concerts. There is a continuing need for a speaker and enclosure system demonstrating improved tone qualities for sound reproduction. Although the sound reproduced by my speaker and enclosure is not equivalent to the sound of a concert, my speaker and enclosure do demonstrate improved tone qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a speaker and associated enclosure apparatus for reproducing sound from electronic audio signals. The apparatus comprises a barrel-shaped drum having open ends, one end in a selected position being the front end and the opposite end being a rear end. A substantially axially aligned speaker is mounted at the front end of the drum for directing sound in opposite substantially axial directions but primarily in the forward direction. An aerodynamically curved, dome-shaped reflector which has an open end is mounted to surround the rear portion of the drum. The reflector is spaced from the drum and positioned with its open end being aligned to direct sound emitted from the reflector in a substantially forward axial direction.

It is an object of the invention to provide a speaker and enclosure apparatus with improved sound reproduction qualities.

It is another object of the invention to provide a speaker enclosure of ornamental appearance.

. It is another object of the invention to provide a speaker with good aerodynamic qualities which help to avoid turbulent flow of sound waves.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section taken substantially along the lines 2--2 of FIG. 1 illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which a pair of speaker and enclosure apparatuses are mounted in coaxial, oppositely directed, alignment beneath a coffee table.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity; however, it is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 shows a speaker enclosure 10 mounted on a suitable pedestal-type base 12. A barrel shaped drum 14 has a grill cloth 16 at its front end immediately behind which the speaker (not visible in FIG. I) is mounted. An aerodynamically curved, dome-shaped reflector 18, which has a rim 20 around its open end, is mounted to surround the rear portion of the drum l4, and is spaced therefrom.

FIG. 2 shows the preferred apparatus in more detail. The reflector 18 is mounted, such as by screws, to the pedestal base 12. The barrel shaped drum [4 is mounted partially within the reflector l8 and is spaced therefrom by resilient suction cup spacers such as spacers 22 and 24, which are circularly spaced around the drum 14. The drum 14 is barrelshaped in the sense that the drum is generally cylindrical but is swelled out in the center so that the diameter is greater at the center thanat the ends. The ends are parallel to each other and are substantially circular and substantially identical. Sections taken throughout the drum parallel to the ends are also circular but have greater diameters than the diameters of the ends. The sides curve smoothly from end to end of the drum. A speaker 26 is mounted at the front, open end of the drum l4 and seats against a circular collar 28 which is glued or otherwise mounted to the inner surface of the drum 14. The grill cloth 16 is positioned protectively over the front of the speaker 26 and is held in place by a leather rim 30 which is nailed to the drum 14. Electrical connections to the speaker are not illustrated since they form no part of this invention and are obvious to persons skilled in the art.

The rear end 31 of the drum I4 is not open except for a linear brace 32 which extends diametrically across and is attached to the open rear end 31 of the drum 14. The closed end 34 of the reflector is formed with an inwardly, forwardly directed aerodynamically curved, peak 36 which is coaxially aligned with the drum 14. The linear brace 32 at the rear end 31 of the drum 14 is attached to the reflector 18 by means of a threaded rod 38 with nuts 40 and 42 at opposite ends thereof. The threaded rod extends axially through the forwardly directed peak 36.

In the preferred embodiment, the drum 14 is made from wooden staves and preferably is very similar to the barrel of an ordinary conga drum. The reflector I8 is advantageously formed of fiberglass.

In FIG. 3, I illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a pair of such speakers and enclosures are mounted coaxially and oppositely directed and are suspended beneath a coffee table. I have found that by positioning, aligning and directing the speakers in this manner, improved appearance and sound reproduction is accomplished. The speakers and 52 are suspended from the coffee table 54 by suspension rods 56,- 58, and 62. In other respects, the

I speaker enclosures and speaker apparatus 50 and 52 are similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, but with the base 12 removed.

The operation of the preferred embodiment begins with the energization of the speaker 26 by means of audio electrical signals. Vibration of the speaker cone as a result of this energization causes sound waves to be propagated in opposite substantially axial directions. Sound waves propagated in the forward direction, of course, leave the speaker toward the listener in a direct and conventional manner. Sound waves, however, which are propagated in a rearwardly direction from the speaker pass through and are resonated and reinforced in the drum 14. As they approach the forwardly directed peak 36, these sound waves are directed gracefully, outwardly with minimum distortion and bent around the rear closed portion of the reflector 18 until they are then directed in a forward direction between the exterior of the drum 14 and the interior of the reflector 18. Thus, the reflected sounds are finally emitted in a forward direction from the open end 21 of the reflector 18.

It is an advantage of the invention that an aerodynamically curved path is provided for the faithful passage of sound waves. It is a further advantage of the invention that the sound emitted from the reflector is entirely symmetrically axial around the central axis of the drum 14 as it is directed toward the listener in a forward direction.

In still another alternative embodiment of my invention, I have found it advantageous to mount a pair of speaker and enclosure apparatuses of the type illustrated in FIG. 2 as twins in side-byasideparallel alignment. This, too, I have found seems to improve both the sound quality and the amplitude of the emitted sound. Further desirable operation is obtained if the twin speakers are rotated while they are producing sound.

I prefer that colored light be positioned at spaced intervals in the fiber glass reflector l8 and that these lights be electrically controlled by the sounds emitted by the speaker 26 so that the pitch of the sound controls the color of the lights, and

i the volume of the sound controls the intensity of the light.

It is to be understood that while the detailed drawings and specific examples given describe preferred embodiments of my invention, they are for the purposes of illustration only, that the apparatus of the invention is not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed, and that various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

lclaim:

l. A speaker and associated enclosure apparatus for reproducing sound from electronic audio signals, the apparatus comprising:

a. a barrel-shaped drum having two open circular ends, one

end in a selected position being a front end and the opposite end being a rear end and being substantially parallel with and substantially equal in size to the front end, intermediate portions of the drum being circular in cross section and having greater diameters than the ends, the axial length of the drum being substantially longer than any diameter thereof;

b. a substantially axially aligned speaker mounted at the front end of the drum for directing the sound in opposite substantially axial directions; and

c. an aerodynamically curved reflector having an open front end, and a closed rear end, the reflector mounted to surround the rear portion of said drum and spaced therefrom so that the sides thereof are substantially parallel with the adjacent sides of the drum and so that the reflector extends from the rear of said drum forward more than half way the length of said drum, the open end of the reflector being aligned to direct sound emitted therefrom in a substantially forward axial direction.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the speaker extends entirely across the open front end of the drum.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the closed end of the reflector is formed with an inwardly, forwardly directed aerodynamically curved peak which is coaxially aligned with said drum and which is mounted to and secured by a bolt to the rear of said drum.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein the drum and the reflector are circularly, symmetrical about their axes, and coaxially mounted, and the drum radius is approximately percent of the reflector radius.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4,

wherein the speaker extends entirely across the open front end of the drum and the closed end of the reflector is formed with an inwardly directed peak which is coaxially aligned with said drum.

F UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION P t t N 3638753 Dated February 1, 1972 Inventofld) Paul E... Cunningham It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column line, 2' "the drum l4 is not 0 e l the drum 14 p except p 11 except should read Column 3 line 2 should read o side-by-side parallel.

rather than side-byaside parallel.

Column 4, line 28 (claim 5) should readrnan irmardly forwardly directed peaslg rather than ...an inwardly directed peak.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of July 1972.

(SEAL) Attest: I

mWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents P04050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC (5/69) 7 a 8 CERTIFICATE OF co Patent; No, 3638753 Dated February 1 1972 Inventor(s Paul E. Cunningham It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 25 "the drum 14 is not 0 the drum l4 is open exce t pen except Should read Column 3 line 2 should read side-byside parallel.

rather than side-byaside parallel.

Column 4, line 28 (claim 5) should read.;.ar 1 inwardly forwardly directed peak, rather than ...an inwardly directed peak.

Signed and sealed this 18th day of July 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER, JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A speaker and associated enclosure apparatus for reproducing sound from electronic audio signals, the apparatus comprising: a. a barrel-shaped drum having two open circular ends, one end in a selected position being a front end and the opposite end being a rear end and being substantially parallel with and substantially equal in size to the front end, intermediate portions of the drum being circular in cross section and having greater diameters than the ends, the axial length of the drum being substantially longer than any diameter thereof; b. a substantially axially aligned speaker mounted at the front end of the drum for directing the sound in opposite substantially axial directions; and c. an aerodynamically curved reflector having an open front end, and a closed rear end, the reflector mounted to surround the rear portion of said drum and spaced therefrom so that the sides thereof are substantially parallel with the adjacent sides of the drum and so that the reflector extends from the rear of said drum forward more than half way the length of said drum, the open end of the reflector being aligned to direct sound emitted therefrom in a substantially forward axial direction.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the speaker extends entirely across the open front end of the drum.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the closed end of the reflector is formed with an inwardly, forwardly directed aerodynamically curved peak which is coaxially aligned with said drum and which is mounted to and secured by a bolt to the rear of said drum.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum and the reflector are circularly, symmetrical about their axes, and coaxially mounted, and the drum radius is approximately 80 percent of the reflector radius.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the speaker extends entirely across the open front end of the drum and the closed end of the reflector is formed with an inwardly directed peak which is coaxially aligned with said drum. 